Risk is about 65 years old and is still one of the most popular board games around the world. It can be fast paced but provide hours of enjoyment. It requires a great deal of strategy, cunning, and thought.
The goal of the game is to conquer the territory of your enemies. You build an army, move in your troops, and start a battle. There is a slight amount of luck involved because you are dependent upon the roll of the dice. Therefore, it would be best if you defeated your enemy before they defeated you.
Risk was among the first games to include concepts like area control and area movement in a board game. It is a game of war and global domination.
You can purchase Risk anywhere you can find board games, including brick and mortar stores and online stores. You can expect to pay between $30 to $40 for the game. It is best for those ages 10 and up.
If you enjoy playing Risk but are interested in other war and strategy games, consider trying these games.
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1. Axis and Allies
Axis and Allies is a great option when looking for a game similar to Risk. Like Risk, this game has history and heritage contained in it. Axis and Allies have been in production for little more than 30 years.
There are about 20 different editions, each one giving you something a little different. The 1941 edition is the least complex of all the editions and a bit easier to learn. Overall, the rules are more complex than Risk’s rules, and it takes longer to learn.
Axis and Allies are based on World War II, and in the games, you take on the role of the major powers. Then, you team up with your allies to capture territories. This is the path that leads you to victory.
In the game, you purchase new units, research, make repairs, and engage in combat via sea and land. It can take up to 30 minutes to set up the game and hours to play. There is an Anniversary edition, but it comes at a high cost, as much as $600.
2. Blood Rage
Blood Rage is another board game that is similar to Risk because it involves warfare and requires strategy. In Blood Rage, players control a ship and a Viking clan of warriors. In this game, you are facing the age of Ragnarok and the end of the world.
Your goal is to attain glory and earn your place next to Odin in Valhalla by pillaging the land and crushing your opponents. You will battle and fulfill quests.
Blood Rage has three rounds. At the beginning of each round, you are given cards that will drive the strategies you use in the game. In addition, you can attain gifts from the gods for your clan to provide help along the way.
Help comes in the form of unique battle strategies, improved Viking strength, and help from legendary creatures. In addition to strategy, this game requires creativity for success.
One of the key differences in Blood Rage is winning a battle is not always the way to win the game. You can die during battle and come out above someone that has decided not to enter battle.
3. Diplomacy
Diplomacy was released around the same time as Risk in 1959, and it is a great game for those who enjoy playing Risk. The board games have a similar look to them which makes Diplomacy easier to learn.
One major difference is Diplomacy does not use dice, and there is no luck needed. This game is all about being diplomatic, as the name suggests. The time period is just before the beginning of World War II.
In each round of the game, players represent the main nations and work to form alliances as well as betray other players. During negotiations, you strike deals with players or betray the agreements that you make with players. You should know that when you play this game with friends, you may have some upset friends at the end of the night.
4. Dominion
Another option for consideration when looking for a board game that is similar to Risk is Dominion. This is a strategy based game that puts you in the position of being a king. This game does not actually have a board, but this still qualifies as a board game because it has all of the characteristics of a board game.
This game uses a deck of cards and action cards that drive your behavior in the game. As the King in this game, your goal is to increase your kingdom by obtaining more land.
You want to acquire all of the lands you can. Your opponents in the game are also trying to acquire land, so you need to build castles and defend your land.
5. Eclipse
Eclipse is another board game you should consider when you want to play a game similar to Risk. One of the differences between Eclipse and Risk is that Eclipse is set in the future and impacts an entire galaxy.
The galaxy is in discord, and there is tension among all of the species. Your job is to maintain peace and make a difference. You are in charge of controlling the civilization while fending off your competition.
In this game, you can explore solar systems, build spaceships, and encourage technology. You will find many ways to reach victory as you are able to choose from one of many species, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
6. The Game of Throne Board Game
If you love Risk and you love Game of Thrones, then the board game is something you want to try. There is a second edition of this game, and it is ripe with strategy, war, and politics. When you play this game, you are in control of one of the major houses in Westeros.
Your goal in this game is to gain control of your enemies and ascend to the iron throne. Depending on the number of players you have, this could be a long game as it has ten rounds.
Whoever has the most territory at the end is the winner. You will spend a large amount of time creating and breaking alliances with the other players.
This game places you in the time after King Robert Baratheon has died and the seven crowns are preparing for war. There are extensions to this game that gives you ports, Siege engines, garrisons, and Wildling cards.
7. Godstorm
While you may know that Godstorm is an extension of Risk, you can play it on its own. Godstorm is able to stand on its own without Risk. Even those that have not played Risk but enjoy strategy games will enjoy playing Godstorm.
Godstorm is a mythology based game that allows you to play a god in a different culture. You will battle with other players to determine who is the ruler of the earth.
This game contains almost 400 pieces and takes some time to master. You can conquer various parts of the world as you move around the board. However, you must be aware of Atlantis and the potential to sink among the chaotic seas. Therefore, this game requires a good amount of creativity.
8. Inis
Inis is another area control game based in a mystical land based on Celtic history and mythology. Inis means King of the island. You are attempting to become one of Ireland’s first chieftains.
In every round of Inis, all players receive cards. Then you must bluff, manage, and time things to create the appropriate balance of power to win the game. In addition, you secure territory with sanctuary and receive deeds.
This game includes tiles to give you a unique view of each game. The geography unfolds for you while you play.
9. Kemet
Kemet is a great alternative to Risk because it is a war game that is set in the sand of mythological Egypt. In this game, you fight for control of strategically placed locations across the board.
One major difference is that this game encourages you to attack other players. There are incentives to fight and limited numbers of troops. The players are not able to build up a massive amount of troops at the border of their land.
Kemet does not use dice but instead has a system of cards for combat. There are defensive cards that can cause damage or add buffs. This game relies more on strategy and less on the luck of the roll. This game is much faster to play than Risk.
10. Risk Legacy
Risk Legacy is basically a reimplementation of Risk but offers some differences. In the Legacy version of the game, you bear the scars of previous interactions and conflicts.
In this game, you are able to change a territory into a stronghold which allows you to produce more. Ultimately this allows you to destroy territories. However, there are a limited number of campaigns because the map remains the same.
11. Rising Sun
Rising Sun is a great alternative to Risk for those who are looking for another similar game. Those who love Risk will also enjoy the look and feel of Rising Sun. A plus for Rising Sun is that it has extra bonus intricacies and mechanics that play out as an incredibly strategic and balanced war game.
Rising Sun is set in mythological Japan. The players become leaders of clans with the goal of becoming the master of Japan. In the game, you will engage in political subterfuge, diplomacy, and war to achieve your goals.
During the game, you can interact with certain gods to receive favors to help you in your quest.
12. Rurik: Dawn of Kiev
In Rurik: Dawn of Kiev, you become a potential successor to Vladimir the Great, who has recently died. To become King, you must win the hearts of the people. The players must fight, tax, build, and have great deeds to win the game.
You use action programming, resource management, and area control as a player. In this game, you bid openly for an advisor to help your influence go even further. You must choose carefully.
Weak advisors go faster and earn fewer benefits. Stronger advisors perform great actions but take longer. Strategy and timing all matter in this game.
13. Sekigahara: The Unification of Japan
In Sekigahara: The Unification of Japan, you recreate the battle that saw the rise of the Tokugawa shogunate dynasty. In this game, two players take on the role of either Tokugawa Ieyasu or Ishida Mitsunari. In this game, you see loyalties are tested, and many switch sides in the midst of battle.
This game is great a creating the sense of distrust that was prevalent during this time in history. While playing this game, you must create and deepen the loyalty of your troops and allies before the battle. You do not want to lose people in battle.
All the while, you are working on getting your opponents’ ranks to defect while protecting your own. You must use skill and planning throughout this game. It is a card based game that does not use dice.
14. Settlers of Catan
Settlers of Catan is a great option for those Risk lovers out there. It is similar to Risk and has developed a cult following over time. However, this is a strategy game that focuses on gathering resources.
There are 19 terrain blocks that are surrounded by the ocean. Each of these areas produces its own resources. These include brick, wool, ore, and grain. In this game, your goal is to collect ten victory points.
Each of your settlements is worth a victory point. In addition, each city that you have is worth two victory points. Ten points may not seem like a lot, but achieving them is not easy.
Settlers of Catan is a complex game that may be easy to learn but takes much longer to master as there are a large number of rules. In addition, there are special cards such as the longest road or largest army cards. Each game you play can be unique because you arrange the terrain blocks however you want for each game.
